Hi, now I know that there are 2 other threads about Athearn f7 problems right now on the forums. (seems like Athearn f7s have a lot of problems...)
Mine is a Genesis brand(newest release), not the rtr, or Bluebox so at least its different
This is the 2nd thread about this single engine having problems, the first one was about a faulty replacement soundtraxx decoder(from Athearn) that FINALLY got replaced and the new one works fine.
So, to the problems:
1. The engine is getting bad eletrical connection at random places on the layout. The track is PERFECTLY CLEANED as I cleaned the whole oval 3 times in 1 hour, and the B-unit and all my other engines run fine... I cleaned the engine's wheels twice and found out that the rear truck has bad connection. So I took it apart ( for the 17th time!) and disassembled the rear truck, making sure that all the wires were connected properly. After finding no improvment, I added some conductive lubricant to the rear truck's axles. It improved it significantly, but after around 15 loops around, it started stopping around while running around the layout again.
2. After I did the above, I set it aside thinking "screw it, Im done", and I placed 4 locos on the layout, 2 just waiting at the station, and 1 running around. 2 of them had sound and 1 had smoke. When I was running that one with smoke and sound at a reletively high speed (passenger train), the f7a unit suddenly restarted. I stopped the engine I was running, waited a few seconds wondering what happened, and started the train again. That happened a few more times until I was done with my trains for the day.
3. Now this isn't much of a problem, bu just really annoying. The f7a runs slower than the f7b unit that came together. Now when I first bought this set off Ebay, I tried running it and the motor was stalled. I played around with the wires that were attached to the motor and it unstalled. I think the original owner tried to run it while the motor was stalled, and caused permenant damage to the motor, which now runs slower.
If you know can solve any of these problems, please tell me, as Im not sure what to do next with this engine when I constanly restarts around once each time I run it one loop. ( and I have to turn on the headlight and mars light EVERY time its restarts...really annoying)
Thanks,
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
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Southwest ChiefQuick obs. Have you done a decoder reset? Both the A and B units? A lot if times they can have different speed sets so one would run slower than the other
Yes, the A unit and B unit both have been reset before.
Charles,
This is a long shot...but probable. You may have a burn spot on the commutator, caused by the prior owner trying to force it to run and created a arc spot on the motor. I would clean the commutator surface with alcohol and pencil eraser, check brush spring tension and condition of brushes, making sure they both have equal tension on commutator. Then I would lube the armature shaft bushings/bearings inner and outer, LaBelle makes a good oil for this with a small needle applicator, #104 is good for this, but it is a Synthetic, which is harmful to plastic's, I don't recall the other number, but I believe it is #107, but not sure. When that is done, run it and see if there is a improvement......should be noticeable immediately...then You can try adjusting CV's to suite You. I would not go changing CV's before the motor runs perfectly and freely. Take Your time and be meticulous. I have brought back to life, quite a few motors that way.
Good Luck!
Take Care!
Frank
Hi zstripe(Frank)-
I have never disassmebled a Genesis motor before, only rtr ones. So how do you get to the comunicator?
P.S. Its interesting that the motor is labled "Roco" on it. Never heard of a motor manufacturer's named Roco, just a train manufactur name roco...
Roco makes DC motors for trains. Is there a number on it somewhere? Any number at all? Would be helpful. Or a original ATH stock #. Here is an older Athearn motor having a motor tune-up done to it...so You can get an idea of what is involved:
http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Publications/Articles/Athearn_TuneUp.php#MOTORTUNING
I'll keep following this thread to see if You can come up with some more info on the motor. Where the wires are sticking out of the motor will be where the commutator is and there are indents they have to be pried apart, but must know the # to be exact. They do make smooth running motors and quiet.
If You have some time...review this link and read up on how a motor works and how all the parts go together, with diagrams and nomenclature:
http://sumidacrossing.org/LayoutElectricity/ModelTrainPower/DCTrainMotors/
Frank- the first link's motor is the RTR type. I know those really well.
Mine is the Athearn genesis GENESIS motor type. Unfortunatly, I don't see any number. But in order to get you an idea, just google "athearn genesis motor.
Yep thats the motor I have. As you can see, its impossible to get to the commutaor without opening the motor up, which I have done before, but I dont want to break such a delicate, and smooth running motor.
Thanks